DeSmith signs two-year, $5 million contract with Stars

Casey DeSmith signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. It begins next season and has an average annual value of $2.5 million.

The 35-year-old goalie is entering the final season of a three-year, $3 million contract he signed with the Stars on July 1, 2024. He could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027.

"This is something that's really big for my family and I,” DeSmith said. “Having kids now, it's nice to know where you're going to be. We love it here. We love this organization, we love Dallas. I love this team and my teammates. It was something I really wanted to happen, and I'm happy we got it done.

“We have a chance to win the Cup every year. Those are all really attractive things that make me want to stay."

DeSmith played 30 games (28 starts) last season and was 15-8-6 with a 2.43 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and one shutout. It was the most games he had played in a season since 2022-23 (38 with the Pittsburgh Penguins).

Signed by Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent on July 1, 2017, DeSmith is 99-69-29 with a 2.74 GAA, .910 save percentage and 13 shutouts in 220 regular-season games (194 starts) for the Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and Stars. He is 1-2 with a 2.37 GAA and .915 save percentage in five Stanley Cup Playoff games (three starts).

"It's a tremendous signing for us,” Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan said. “You guys know, I don't have to talk about his hockey, I’ve just got to talk about how respected he is in that locker room, what a pro he is. There's not a man in there that wouldn't want him there for next few years, coaches included. Great signing."

The Stars play their season opener against the St. Louis Blues on Friday (9 p.m ET; TNT, truTV, HBO MAX).

"Extending Casey has been a priority for us, and we're excited to have him locked up for two more years," Dallas general manager Jim Nill said. "He's been incredibly reliable during his time with our organization, and we are looking forward to the tandem of Casey and Jake (Oettinger) continuing to anchor our team moving forward."

NHL.com independent correspondent Robert Tiffin contributed to this report